Akebia Therapeutics Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted inducement stock options to two newly hired employees on January 30, 2026, covering an aggregate of 132,675 shares. The options carry a $1.41 exercise price (equal to the closing price on the grant date), vest over four years and have a 10-year term.

The awards were made under Akebia’s inducement award program in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and are subject to the terms of the stock option agreements and continued service.

Key Figures

Grant size: 132,675 options Exercise price: $1.41 per share Vesting schedule: 4 years +3 more

6 metrics

Grant size 132,675 options Aggregate options granted to two new employees on January 30, 2026

Exercise price $1.41 per share Equal to AKBA closing price on the January 30, 2026 grant date

Vesting schedule 4 years 25% after one year, remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter

Initial cliff vesting 25% of shares Vest on first anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service

Remaining vesting 75% of shares Vest quarterly after first anniversary, subject to continued service

Option term 10 years Each stock option has a 10-year term under the inducement program

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.38 Vol: Volume 2,279,527 is at 0....

normal vol

$1.38 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,279,527 is at 0.76x the 20-day average of 2,984,148, suggesting no unusual trading ahead of this filing-style news. normal

Technical Shares at $1.41 are trading below the 200-day moving average of $2.64 and sit well under the 52-week high of $4.0787.

Peers on Argus

AKBA was down 2.76% while peers showed mixed moves: AQST (-6.65%), ESPR (-3.42%)...

AKBA was down 2.76% while peers showed mixed moves: AQST (-6.65%), ESPR (-3.42%), SIGA (-1.03%), ORGO (+1.01%), DVAX (+0.03%). With no peers in the momentum scanner and a mix of directions, trading appeared stock-specific rather than a coordinated sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 12 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 12	Corporate/pipeline update	Positive	-7.9%	Outlined Vafseo progress, large VOICE and VOCAL trials, and 2026 revenue outlook.
Jan 06	Clinical trial start	Positive	-2.6%	First patient dosed in Phase 2 praliciguat study for FSGS with UPCR endpoints.
Jan 05	Inducement option grant	Neutral	-2.6%	Reported 197,900 inducement stock options at $1.61 with four-year vesting.
Dec 01	Inducement option grant	Neutral	-2.6%	Disclosed 22,576 inducement options at $1.58 with standard four-year vesting.
Dec 01	Pipeline expansion	Positive	-4.4%	Announced rare kidney disease pipeline centered on AKB-097 and praliciguat.

Pattern Detected

Recent news, including positive pipeline and corporate updates, has consistently been followed by negative 24-hour price reactions, suggesting a pattern of selling into news.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Akebia has emphasized Vafseo commercialization and development of its rare kidney disease pipeline, including a Phase 2 trial of praliciguat and plans for AKB-097. It also announced establishment of a rare kidney disease pipeline on Dec 1, 2025 and provided detailed 2026 outlook on Jan 12, 2026. Multiple prior inducement option grants under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) were disclosed on Nov 28, 2025 and Dec 31, 2025. Each of these events saw negative 24-hour price reactions, framing today’s small hiring-related grant as part of an ongoing pattern of news followed by near-term weakness.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details routine inducement stock option grants totaling 132,675 shares at an exerc...

Analysis

This announcement details routine inducement stock option grants totaling 132,675 shares at an exercise price of $1.41, matching the grant-date close. The options follow a standard four-year vesting schedule and 10-year term under Akebia’s inducement award program, consistent with similar grants disclosed in late 2025. Set against recent updates on Vafseo and the rare kidney disease pipeline, investors may monitor how ongoing hiring and equity compensation support execution of the company’s growth strategy.

Key Terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4), exercise price, stock options, vesting, +1 more

5 terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"The options were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)."

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) is a rule that requires a company to get approval from its shareholders before selling a large amount of its shares, usually over 20%. This helps protect investors by making sure the company doesn't flood the market with new shares without their say, which could lower the stock's value.

exercise price financial

"The options have an exercise price of $1.41 per share, which is equal to..."

The exercise price is the fixed amount at which you can buy or sell an asset, like a stock, when using an options contract. It matters because it helps determine whether exercising the option will be profitable or not, depending on the current market price. Think of it as the set price you agree on today to buy or sell later.

stock options financial

"granted two newly-hired employees options to purchase an aggregate of 132,675 shares..."

Stock options are agreements that give a person the right to buy or sell a company's stock at a specific price within a certain time frame. They are often used as a reward or incentive, similar to a coupon that can be used later if the stock price rises, allowing the holder to make a profit.

vesting financial

"The stock options vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the first..."

Vesting is the process by which you earn full ownership of something, like company stock or a retirement benefit, over time. It’s like earning the right to keep a gift piece by piece the longer you stay with a company, making sure employees stay committed before they receive all the benefits.

inducement award program financial

"subject to the terms and conditions of Akebia’s inducement award program..."

A program where a company gives new hires or key contributors stock, stock options, or cash bonuses to persuade them to join or stay, like a signing bonus but paid in company shares or equity-based pay. Investors care because these awards can dilute existing share ownership, change executive incentives and company costs, and signal how aggressively the company is investing in talent to drive future performance.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akebia Therapeutics^®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, granted two newly-hired employees options to purchase an aggregate of 132,675 shares of Akebia’s common stock on January 30, 2026. The options were granted as an inducement material to each employee entering into employment with Akebia. The options were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The options have an exercise price of $1.41 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Akebia’s common stock on the grant date. The stock options vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of shares vesting quarterly thereafter, in each case, subject to the new employee’s continued service with Akebia. Each stock option has a 10-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of Akebia’s inducement award program and a stock option agreement covering the grant.

About Akebia Therapeutics

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does not form a part of this release.

Akebia Therapeutics Contact

Mercedes Carrasco
mcarrasco@akebia.com

FAQ

What did Akebia (AKBA) announce on February 2, 2026 about inducement grants?

Akebia announced it granted inducement stock options for an aggregate of 132,675 shares on January 30, 2026. According to the company, the grants were made under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) as an inducement for two newly hired employees to join Akebia.

What is the exercise price and term of the AKBA inducement options granted January 30, 2026?

The options have an exercise price of $1.41 per share and a ten-year term. According to the company, $1.41 equals the closing share price on the grant date and each option expires ten years from grant, subject to the option agreement terms.

How do the AKBA inducement options vest for the new employees?

The options vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter. According to the company, vesting is conditioned on the new employee’s continued service with Akebia.

How many employees received inducement options from Akebia (AKBA) and what was the aggregate share amount?

Two newly hired employees received inducement options totaling 132,675 shares. According to the company, the grants were made as material inducements tied to each employee entering employment with Akebia under its inducement award program.

Were the AKBA inducement grants made in compliance with Nasdaq rules?

Yes, the grants were made in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). According to the company, the awards were structured as Nasdaq-authorized inducement grants tied to new hires and documented under Akebia’s inducement award program.

What conditions apply to the exercise and enforcement of the AKBA inducement options?

Each option is subject to the inducement award program and a stock option agreement that governs exercise and other terms. According to the company, exercise, vesting, and other rights are governed by those agreements and continued employment conditions.